Online dating traffic surges with Cupid’s arrow

Faith Focused Dating - Grow in Faith, Fall in Love.

PITTSBURGH - It's not just roses and chocolate folks are buying in anticipation of Feb. 14: it's also subscriptions to dating sites.

Valentine's Day has a way of zapping singles off the couch and into action. If Cupid's arrow hasn't found them yet, they figure, maybe it's time to step onto the range and seek it out.

In response to this routine February surge, CatholicMatch is offering a Valentine's discount: a savings of up to 60 percent. The offer expires on Feb. 14 at midnight, which means you can watch Casablanca and Sleepless In Seattle before bucking up and logging in.

"It's not surprising that so many singles join our site this time of year," CatholicMatch Co-founder Brian Barcaro said. "They've just endured another holiday season alone and now they're staring down the face of another date-less Valentine's Day. That can be a painful one-two punch."

Members of CatholicMatch say they are determined to take action this year. Asked in a poll "Which aspect of your life do you most want to improve in 2010," 30 percent answered "be more proactive about meeting someone." The second-most popular response, netting 24 percent of votes, was to lose weight, while 19 percent said they're hoping to get finances in order.

Joining a dating site, these faith-filled singles believe, is not a forward or forceful step, but rather, an important way to proactive. Waiting on God's will and trusting in His timing doesn't mean sitting on the sidelines.

Still, singles often battle of flash hesitation before joining a dating site. "I must have sat for five minutes before hitting the 'enter' button on the registration page, pondering if my act was desperation or if I was simply taking charge of my possibilities," said Emily-101916, a 28-year-old graphic designer.

With more than 24 million single Catholics in the country - a record number - this is the perfect time to tune into the bustling industry of Catholic dating sites.